I Think My Tank Is Shocking Me!

[Dave Legacy]

Ok, WTF is going on here? Over the last few months I've noticed a little sharp pain on my finger tip anytime I would initially break the water's surface. The thing is it would only happen if I touched the water with a certain finger and that finger only. It seems to change every now and then so I was thinking it was just because maybe I had a minor knick in my flesh and the salt (Brackish Tank) was causing the pain. I can't help but feel this is something more serious than open cuts.

The lighting in the tank is looking a litte rusty and the wiring doesn't seem all that great. I'm holding off on an upgrade since I'm moving my archers out of this tank into a 200G Paludarium. Also, the fish are doing ok... one seems a tad stressed but that isn't all that unusual for that individual.

Anyone ever have electrical current running through their water?

 

[fish_fetish65]

at one point in time, one of the petsmart tanks went haywire and decided that it was going to have an electrical current running through it. any employee that touched it got a very very painful shock... but the fish were all fine. so who knows.

 

[Dave Legacy]

this is a little zing. Not sure what to think but maybe it's time to get these guys out.

 

[SPLiSH]

I read on another website about a tank that delivered a shock to seven people... it was called an Aquapod or something.

Here is the article:

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...em.php?news=881

 

[Dave Legacy]

I read on another website about a tank that delivered a shock to seven people... it was called an Aquapod or something.

Here is the article:

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...em.php?news=881

Thing is it's the water and not the cord or wires.

 

[liserini]

You don't have an electric catfish in there do you?!

 

[Fella]

Well one way to find out would be to switch off all the appliances at the wall and then see if you still get the same sensation.

 

[andywg]

Sounds like some stray voltage, probably caused by a dodgy heater or powerhead or something.

It is not uncommon to have stray voltage in a number of tanks, and when you put your finger in you complete the circuit allowing a current to earth itself through you.

You can install an earthing rod to prevent any voltage building up (seen as an essential for keeping marine sharks due to their sensitivity to micro-voltages).

This is a good discussion of it: http/avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquar...calDetails.html

 

[morgan]

I have had this problem, mostly in the winter. I think you will find it is static shock rather than any shock from the mains electrics. I have found that putting my hand in as a fist rather than fingers straight out helps to stop it happening. It is worse for me in the winter as I seem to "store" static electricity. I give and receive rather sharp shocks without meaning to!